Sinn Féin has said the new Justice Minister needs to ensure that Garda whistleblowers are protected.

The party's justice spokesman has been calling for change in the force following the news that whistleblower Maurice McCabe has now regained access to the Garda Pulse computer system.

Sergeant Mc Cabe was informed of the decision yesterday.

The publication of the Guerin report last week led to the resignation of Alan Shatter.

Sinn Féin's Padraig MacLochlainn said the new Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald had a difficult job ahead.

"She has a huge challenge ahead of her. If she ensures whistleblowers are protected and goes about restoring public confidence in the administration of justice, she'll have the support of myself and I'm sure everybody else in opposition," he said.

Deputy MacLochlainn added that the restoration of access to the Pulse sytem to Sge McCabe was "long overdue and very welcome".

"He made another complaint about (his lack of access) a few days ago."